Bearing a baby in the belly requires a fertile inner landscape, yet beyond the baby-bearing process, fertility is the sensation of being ripe on the inside so that creative juices are flowing; openness, grace and beauty are matriculating. A lack of fertility may be for many reasons -- nutrition is a healthy place to start to identify what may be not fully fueling your fertility factor. From your current practices of feeding your body, are there ways you could make your food more appealing to you? Think about sexifying your plate. In Geneen Roth's terms, this is eat with gusto. In terms of essential dietary wisdom: eat with your eyes, feel the food going into your body, make your food insanely delicious. You are discerning with whom you have relationships, why not be discerning about your food?

Fertilizing your body through food involves simplifying your diet, yet becoming aware of your dietary blueprint. When you eat, who are you also you are feeding? How you feed yourself impacts others because it is a ritual you perform every day of your life, a few times per day or more, in which you acknowledge: I am alive, I am well. I feed myself and create more life. I choose to eat foods that nourish my body and mind. If fertility and longevity is a priority in your life, the most efficient way to healthy hormones and harmonized brain chemistry, is through balancing the amino acid content of your food and the next best way is to choose foods which naturally stimulate your beauty response as well as fertilize your reproductive system.

Prioritizing protein in your diet helps the body to survive and thrive, grow and develop, ground and shine. A lack of protein leads to a myriad of problems including sugar cravings and a lack of energy, and most importantly, your fertility. It is suggested to increase your protein intake to up to 90 grams to support a desire to become pregnant. Otherwise, less is not better, but balance and consistency with protein intake is key to maintaining vibrant health. It's like a seatbelt protecting you from overcompensation or depression. Beyond the how to balance your amino acids, deciding what to eat can stimulate your glands to align with your most fertile body and radiant beauty.

Five Foods for Feeding You Fertile

1. AvocadoHealthy fats are highly devoted to helping balance and nourish your hormones. For sexification purposes, fats are what lubricate your system and get things moving in a harmonious way. Without fat, there would be no pleasure content to your food. One avocado a week is said to improve hormones, help you shed baby weight and can prevent cervical cancer. And the avocado's fertility cycle mimics that of your own - it takes exactly nine month for an avocado to blossom into a ripened fruit - the time it takes you to nourish a baby in your belly to become a whole person. An avocado is a lovely way to digest nature's gift of gestation and fertility.

2. Plant-Based ProteinPlant-based protein in more relaxing to the body than chicken or beef, as well it helps to detoxify excessive stress and hydrate the system. Beans have fiber in them to balance your digestion and keep things moving. A diet heavy in meat may cause constipation, and despite having a nearly perfect amino acid profile, meat can also cause heaviness in the system which is hard on the adrenal glands and thereby the reproductive system. Plant[based proteins include legumes, beans, nuts, seeds, tofu tempeh and are healthy additions to your diet when trying to conceive a baby or create radiant health.

3. FigsFigs are a symbol of fertility for their pattern of partnering up on the tree and bursty with seeds just beneath the thick, yet sensitive and juicy skin. Figs may help to overcome male infertility by mobilizing and increasing the count of sperm. All of the fertile qualities of figs make them an aphrodisiac because of their deliciously sweet and juicy quality and how reflective they are of nature's rhythms in the birth and mating cycle.

4. Walnuts Walnuts resemble tiny brains and so are known to supercharge brain functioning. As well, Chinese medicine considers walnuts to build your body, thereby preparing and strengthening your core to sustain the demands of pregnancy.

5. FruitsFruit has a juicy content beyond any other food. As mentioned above with figs, the seeds in fruit naturally mimic the bodies gestation process, and the miracle within the body to grow a seed into a human being. Fruits are in essence, vegetables with seeds, and those which stand apart to enhance your fertility factor are fruits rich in folic acid, such as citrus and strawberries. As well, by eating pomegranates and apples, men can raise their sperm count, while tomatoes, avocado, grapefruit and watermelon will get the sperm moving.

Waller McInnes is a women's health guru, founder of create radiance: supporting women on the path to success to find inner balance and beauty, and she is a passionate creator of food and life recipes to enhance a woman's beauty, essential energy and awaken sensuality, femininity and grace. Waller is available for health and life coaching for women and teaches yoga classes focused on deeply nourishing the female reproductive system, balancing hormones and creating radiant health. For more information about her visit www.createradiance.com

WASHINGTON -- The chemical at the heart of the planet’s most widely used herbicide -- Roundup weedkiller, used in farms and gardens across the U.S. -- is coming under more intense scrutiny following the release of a new report calling for a heightened regulatory response around its use.

Critics have argued for decades that glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup and other herbicides used around the globe, poses a serious threat to public health. Industry regulators, however, appear to have consistently overlooked their concerns.

A comprehensive review of existing data released this month by Earth Open Source, an organization that uses open-source collaboration to advance sustainable food production, suggests that industry regulators in Europe have known for years that glyphosate, originally introduced by American agricultural biotechnology giant Monsanto in 1976, causes birth defects in the embryos of laboratory animals.

Founded in 2009, Earth Open Source is a non-profit organisation incorporated in the U.K. but international in scope. Its three directors, specializing in business, technology and genetic engineering, work pro-bono along with a handful of young volunteers. Partnering with half a dozen international scientists and researchers, the group drew its conclusions in part from studies conducted in a number of locations, including Argentina, Brazil, France and the United States.

Earth Open Source’s study is only the latest report to question the safety of glyphosate, which is the top-ranked herbicide used in the United States. Exact figures are hard to come by because the U.S. Department of Agriculture stopped updating its pesticide use database in 2008. The EPA estimates that the agricultural market used 180 to 185 million pounds of glyphosate between 2006 and 2007, while the non-agricultural market used 8 to 11 million pounds between 2005 and 2007, according to its Pesticide Industry Sales & Usage Report for 2006-2007 published in February, 2011.

The Earth Open Source study also reports that by 1993 the herbicide industry, including Monsanto, knew that visceral anomalies such as dilation of the heart could occur in rabbits at low and medium-sized doses. The report further suggests that since 2002, regulators with the European Commission have known that glyphosate causes developmental malformations in lab animals.

Even so, the commission’s health and consumer division published a final review report of glyphosate in 2002 that approved its use in Europe for the next 10 years.

An old Cherokee Indian chief was teaching his grandson about life…“A fight is going on inside me,” he said to the boy.“It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves.“One is evil – he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, s...elf-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, self-doubt, and ego.“The other is good – he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith.“This same fight is going on inside you – and inside every other person, too.”The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather,“Which wolf will win?”The old chief replied,”The one you feed.”

Beautiful imagery of an underwater sculpture garden by jason de caires of cancun. These images reflect my mood today. Kind of a quiet, introspection with more than a bit of sadness...my dreams look like this...

I am an 18 year old activist for animal rights and ironically I grew up on a cattle farm. You don't have to be born into your passions, like me. I was born where animals are raised for food and now I am a longtime vegetarian. Though there will be many chances for you to develop new passions, this one starts with knowing what goes on behind the packages, behind the product and in the lab. I am hoping to ignite the same passion I share with BABYBEARSHOP in the people I meet and even those I don't get to meet.

Animals are vulnerable against humans, as we are a comparatively powerful species and sometimes lead ignorant lifestyles, resulting in agonizingly inhumane practices. Due to this blunt negligence of rights, animals often endure massive amounts of pain and suffering. To help raise awareness, I am conducting a project in which I am holding a seminar at my school for teenagers and their familes to come and learn about the rights of animals and how those rights are being abused in the cosmetic industry. I am collecting cruelty-free products and literature that will help me to help others achieve a head start to their new cruelty-free beauty routines. I will follow up with a petition and letter that I will send to companies who practice cosmetic animal testing. In pursuing support for this project, I found BABYBEARSHOP: a human, animal, and environmentally friendly company. The founder of babybearshop.com, I have learned over the course of a week, is a giving, supportive and motivational person. BABYBEARSHOP has signed the cruelty free pact and is part of Peta's cruelty-free company list. Now -- after describing my project and goal to BABYBEARSHOP, the company has agreed to help me with my project by donating 64 of their USDA certified organic lip balm in vintage recyclable tins that are cruelty-free and go by the name All The Better To Kiss You With. Out of all the companies I called and e-mailed, they were the quickest to respond and most helpful overall. As a young activist, I could not be more pleased with this company's direct action to achieve a cruelty- free world, and their support gives me tremendous drive to accomplish the most I can.

I couldn't resist posting this absolutely delicious image of an installation by artist Shinji Turner-Yamamoto in an abandoned church in Cincinnati. It's a hanging garden created by a dead tree supporting a live, inverted tree. There's more to the post on Inhabitat. I want to live here.

Art supplies. Many contain toxic chemicals that are not suitable for children -- especially younger ones. Pay special attention to these: Paints should be water-based to avoid solvents and colored with natural, non-metal pigments. Don't buy polymer clays that stay soft at room temperature or can be hardened in a home oven -- they're made from PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and often contain phthalates. Consider making your own "clay" out of common baking ingredients instead. Note: A label that says "Conforms to ASTM D-4236" simply means the product is labeled as required, not necessarily safe.

Hand washing. Choose sanitizers with ethanol (ethyl alcohol) but no fragrance, and liquid hand soaps without triclosan, triclocarban or fragrance. And remember: Plain soap and water is often just as effective!

Backpacks. If it's time for a new one, look for natural fibers and skip those made with PVC. If natural fibers aren't an option, polyester and nylon are better than PVC. (Check the label for #3, the symbol for PVC, or look for "no PVC" on the label.) Labels don't always list the material, so you may need to contact manufacturers or visit their websites.

Lunch boxes. Because they hold food, it's especially important that lunch boxes be made from non-toxic materials with NO lead paint, PVC, BPA and antimicrobial chemicals. Some options are: cotton lunch bags, BPA-free plastic or unpainted stainless steel. Reuse utensils from home and pack food in reusable, rather than disposable, containers (such as lightweight stainless steel or #1, 2, 4 or 5 plastics).

Beverage bottles. Skip commercial bottled water -- it's expensive, wastes resources and the water quality isn't necessarily better than tap. Instead, send your child to school with filtered water and other beverages in a reusable bottle made from BPA-free plastic, BPA-free aluminum or stainless steel, such as Klean Kanteen.

Markers. Common crayons often contain paraffin wax, which is made from crude oil. Look for alternatives like soy and beeswax. Don't buy dry-erase and permanent markers, which contain solvents. Be wary of plastic-encased crayons or scented markers -- scents encourage kids to sniff them, and the chemicals used in the fragrances are not listed on the label. Try a pencil highlighter instead of the familiar plastic ones.

Notebooks and binders. Avoid plastic covers on binders and spiral notebooks; they're usually made from PVC (#3 plastic). Opt for recycled cardboard or natural fibers instead, or look for "no PVC" on the label.

Glue. Try to minimize kids' exposures to extra-strong or instant adhesives like epoxies, model and "super" glues; they contain toxic solvents. Water-based glues are safer bets, though most are made from petrochemicals. Some better options are: glue sticks, white/yellow/clear "school" glue. Stock up today. Children should not use rubber cement.

Cell phones. A lot of kids have cell phones. If purchasing a new phone, choose one with lower radiation ("SAR" value) by searching EWG's cell phone database. Teach your child that when she's not using it, she should turn it off, store it in her backpack or somewhere else away from the body, and text instead of talking. Note: Or don't give your kid one at all.

These pictures were sent to me today from Goldberg Beauty in Munich. What a beautiful, airy space. Always makes me happy when our products are sold and marketed in a language I can't read. Germany is very aware of chemicals in cosmetics and seems to have always known better.

A Research Project by WTCStudy completed in collaboration with the Commonweal Biomonitoring Resource Center and the Toxic-Free Legacy Coalition.

New tests by the Washington Toxics Coalition reveal that children spend their first nine months in an environment that exposes them to known toxic chemicals.

Washington Toxics Coalition tested nine pregnant women, from Washington, Oregon, and California, for chemicals including bisphenol A, phthalates, mercury, and “Teflon chemicals.” The first-of-its kind study tested blood and urine from pregnant women during their second trimester of pregnancy and found their bodies contaminated with chemicals found in a wide variety of consumer products.

http://www.watoxics.org/files/EE_Report_Embargoed_WTC.pdfIf you are pregnant, or contemplating pregnancy, please read the above study!

PRESS RELEASE2009-11-06 - Organic Consumers Association In a milestone victory resulting from years of work by the US organic community to address known fraud in the organic marketplace, the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) has voted 12 to 1 for the USDA National Organic Program (NOP) to enforce the law for organic personal care just like they do for organic food. This would mean shampoos and other body care products that claim to be organic, but are not certified, would be forced to drop the organic claims made on their products or improve formations to meet organic standards. "I'm really pleased by the NOSB's recommendation," says Ronnie Cummins, Executive Director of the Organic Consumers Association (OCA). "Brands that are using the word organic improperly should be on notice that USDA enforcement is imminent. Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan has said that she is going to get 'tough on crime' in the organic industry. At the NOSB meeting this week, National Organic Program director Miles McEvoy announced a 'new age of enforcement' in organic. I expect them to make organic cosmetics fraud a top priority. In the meantime, retailers should start cleaning up their body care aisles. Whole Foods Market, for one, was a big supporter of the NOSB recommendation." At the end of September, the OCA promised to announce the names of brands that have cheated consumers for years and recommend honest organic brands in order to promote certified organic personal care. As of today, the Boycott/Buycott is in effect.

Please sign this petition to stop international use of plastic bags. Don't forget to carry your reusable bags everywhere- not just the grocery store. If I forget mine, I load my kids full of stuff. They love being helpful. I haven't taken a bag from a store of any kind in over 3 years now.http://www.bydezin.com/greenhouseneutral/index.htm

Just a little note of gratitude to the universe. This company was created out of a need for products that were pure to use on my infant daughter who has multiple food allergies. For the last 6 years, we've been through it all, but over the last month I suddenly had an intuition to test egg with her. We live on a highly restricted diet and don't take any chances, but in spite of her allergist telling me not to try egg, I felt like it was time. I tested minute amounts over the last month and waited weeks in between.

For Sunday breakfast, instead of pancakes, I pulled out our eggs (biodynamic from the farm, of course). The request was for Sunny Side Up. I arranged our favorite flowery plates with loads of organic berries and my daughter held her breath.

I was all tears when her little hands went into prayer position as she asked God to help her eat this egg. This is a terrifying experience for a kid with allergies to suddenly try something forbidden for so long. This could have made her very sick.

To find out what's in the products currently in your bathroom, go to safecosmetics.org. They recently sent 48 mainstream baby washes and shampoos to be tested and found formaldehyde and 1, 4-dioxane in 82% of them in brands such as Huggies, Johnson & Johnson and Sesame Street.

This is the REASON behind BABYBEARSHOP. Years ago, when we first learned of Johnson & Johnson and how they used to put a numbing agent in their NO TEARS baby shampoo, a lightbulb went off and a flurry of research began. We are only concerned with making products we would use on our own babies. We haven't made a baby wash yet because there hasn't been the availability of ingredients that are pure enough to meet our standards. Late summer we will finally be releasing one!

Our products are made in USDA certified organic laboratories which require complete segregation from chemicals such as these. They are made in separate buildings and there is no risk for contamination of ingredients.

As if corn syrup in the USA being genetically-modified is not enough for many people to stop their consumption of sugary foods, processed foods and drinks, check out this article from the Chicago Tribune on January 27, 2009. If they found even ONE incidence of mercury out of their study, that is one incidence too many:

A swig of soda or a bite of a candy bar might be sweet, but a new study suggests that food made with corn syrup also could be delivering tiny doses of toxic mercury.For the first time, researchers say they have detected traces of the silvery metal in samples of high-fructose corn syrup, a widely used sweetener that has replaced sugar in many processed foods. The study was published Monday in the peer-reviewed journal Environmental Health.Eating high-mercury fish is the chief source of exposure for most people. The new study raises concerns about a previously unknown dietary source of mercury, which has been linked to learning disabilities in children and heart disease in adults.The source of the metal appears to be caustic soda and hydrochloric acid, which manufacturers of corn syrup use to help convert corn kernels into the food additive.A handful of plants across the nation still make the soda and acid by mixing a briny solution in electrified vats of mercury. Some of the toxic metal ends up in the final product, according to industry documents cited in the study.Corn syrup manufacturers insisted their products are mercury-free. But the study said at least one maker of caustic soda that has used the mercury-based technology listed the corn syrup industry as a client.The researchers cautioned that their study was limited. Only 20 samples were analyzed; mercury was detected in nine.Still, the impact of the findings could be significant. High-fructose corn syrup has become such a staple in processed foods that the average American consumes 12 teaspoons of it daily, according to federal estimates. Teenagers and children tend to eat more of it than adults.There is no established safe dose for elemental mercury, the type discovered in corn syrup. But the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says an average-sized woman should limit her exposure to 5.5 micrograms a day of methylmercury, the kind found in fish. If that same woman regularly ate corn syrup contaminated at the highest level detected in the study -- 0.57 micrograms per gram -- the researchers estimated that she could end up consuming an amount of mercury that is five times higher than the EPA's safe dose.A former EPA scientist who reviewed the paper said more study is needed to establish the risk, if any, posed by contaminated corn syrup."For the most part, previous studies haven't found mercury in foods other than fish," said Kathryn Mahaffey, a former EPA scientist who co-wrote a landmark report to Congress on the perils of mercury contamination.Most chlorine plants already have switched to mercury-free technology. In response to a 2005 Tribune series about mercury hazards, Barack Obama, then a U.S. senator, introduced legislation that would force others to phase out its use or shut down. A plant in Wisconsin later vowed to switch by this year, leaving four others -- in Georgia, Ohio, Tennessee and West Virginia -- that still use the older technology.Chlorine plants manufacture caustic soda and hydrochloric acid. In a statement, the Chlorine Institute, an industry trade group in Washington, said, "It is conceivable that measurable mercury content can be found in high-fructose corn syrup regardless of how it is processed."